Relief Residential Counsellor & Shelter Youth Worker

Who we are

YouthLink believes in the potential of every youth, and we are dedicated to providing them with the support, guidance and opportunities they need to make positive life choices. We provide youth with brief and ongoing counselling, in-home wraparound support, shelter, housing, educational support, and safe drop-in spaces.

Guided by our mission and inspired by the potential to make a profound impact, Youthlink works closely with youth, families and partners in our community. We come together to highlight and develop strengths, aspirations and positive actions that improve the health and well-being of all who live, work, study and play in our community. As a service delivery organization, we leverage data-driven decision-making and grassroots engagement with youth advisory councils to create an inclusive, innovative, and responsive agency that provides the best fit and most needed services for our communities.

If you are seeking a meaningful opportunity and want to play a key role in bringing our vision for a stronger Scarborough where all youth and families thrive, join us.

Casual

Non-Bargaining Unit position

1 Year Contract

Highlights of Your Role

Relief Shelter Youth Worker:

The Youth Worker is responsible for providing direct, quality care and supervision to residents of the Youth Transitional Housing and Shelter Program (YTHSP) as well as the day to day operations. Youth workers will be expected to model a collaborative, cooperative approach focused on the personal, social, cultural and educational development of the residents.  Staff will be expected to practice within a framework that is a strengths-based relationship-based philosophy of care and a belief in the resilience of youth.

• Ensure warm welcome of residents, conduct intake interview of potential residents, orient new residents and redirect admissions, when appropriate. Assess and address the immediate needs of the resident, orientation to housing program rules and expectations. Ensure that all administrative duties are completed and entered into the database at time of intake Provides direct care and supervision to residents in the YTHSP and support youth with daily routines. 

• Ensure the safety and well-being of the residents by working collaboratively to address and follow-up with regards to crisis management.  Work safely in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Agency Health and Safety Manual

• Maintain the cleanliness and order of the program area. Assist and maintain the general cleanliness of the shelter including keeping work space tidy, laundering of linens, and preparing space for food service, clean up and ensure all supplies are readily available.  Keep all programming areas clean and tidy, disinfecting furniture, remake resident rooms after discharge, adhere to health and safety requirements. Identify and respond to issues related to the building and mechanical systems.

• Articulate and document important information in order to communicate with team.  Communicate information around team dynamics and client dynamics. Ensure safety and security of clients, guests, staff and property.

• Participates in meetings.  Read minutes from meetings to familiarize oneself with changes, updates and directions to program.  Participate in all mandatory professional training provided by the Agency.

Relief Residential Counsellor:

This position is responsible for providing high quality residential care for 9 female identified youth (14-18) and youth who are gender fluid, non-binary and transitioning from male to female and female to male in a live-in treatment home. The program is committed to fostering an environment, which promotes safety and security for youth who have experienced any or all of the following. Traumatic events, abuse, parental/family conflict, neglect, and/or issues with attachment that more than likely are contributing to a deterioration of their mental health, sense of self and low self esteem. 

• Provides daily and household functioning routines, such as hygiene, attendance at school, work, medical, therapy appointments, shopping, menu planning and preparation, daily chores and settling in routines.                                                  
• Supports with specialized treatment plans for nine residents to develop self-esteem. Supports individualized routines to address resident health care, promotes individual beliefs and values and provides on-going support to residents. Provides, dispenses and documents medications. Assists with emergency services, such as accompanying residents to the hospital. Monitors substance use and promotes safer sex practices. Promotes acceptance of disability or impairment.     
• Maintains therapeutic milieu by providing a home like atmosphere within the residence: crisis management, role modeling, and navigating peer dynamics, building self-esteem and creating a safe and positive environment.                                         
• Writes reports and other administrative tasks: serious occurrence and incident reports, daily logs, medical logs, missing person, etc. Orients new residents. Works with student placements.                                                                                                        
• Maintains the residence, including cleaning, maintenance tasks, garage removal, snow removal, fire drills and fire safety checks and other routine tasks associated with the care of the residence.                                                                                       
• Provides school support, including contact with TDSB staff, supervises homework, attends parent-teacher interviews. Researches and connects residents with school programs and tutoring and assists with applications, e.g. OSAP.          
• Provides job and volunteer placement support for residents, including writing resumes and letters, role playing interviews, connecting with job resources and problem solving with employers and co-workers.                                     
• Plans and facilitates therapeutic evening and weekend programs, such as sports activities, life skills, outings, games and other activities.                                       
• Communicates with service providers, including doctors and therapists, recreational workers, teachers and counselors, clergy, lawyers, case workers and governmental service providers.                                                                               
• Provides family support through in-person and phone contact with parents, informal counseling, treatment updates and recommending services and supports.                    
• Actively contributes to the Agency’s Strategic Plan by participating in initiatives and committees to support the overall Plan.
• Takes all reasonable and necessary precautions to protect his or her own health and safety and that of co-workers by complying and demonstrating knowledge of the policies, procedures and safe practices established by YouthLink.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Equity, Diversity and Belonging:

Proactively stays updated on best practices as it relates Equity, Diversity and Belonging.  Works collaboratively with ABR Committee and Director of Anti-Racism, Equity, Inclusion and Community to embed best practices into all operational goals and processes. 

Supports Organization’s Strategy:

Actively contributes to the organization’s Strategic Plan by participating in initiatives and committees to support the overall plan. 

What You Bring

Education:

Social Service Degree / Diploma in Child and Youth Worker or a combination of directly related education and experience

Experience:

• Minimum experience must include at least one field practicum placement as a front-line worker, preferably in a residential, housing, or shelter setting
• Experience working with at-risk adolescents from a strength-based approach.
• Demonstrates a commitment to inclusiveness diversity and anti-oppressive practices

Skills:

• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Knowledge of adolescent developmental theory and specific issues related to street youth
• Understanding of the complex issues facing our clients
• Appreciation of the importance of engaging youth and families from a strengths-based relationship-based approach
• Sensitivity to and ability to work with a diverse client and staff group
• Sound knowledge of the issues facing homeless and street-involved youth. Sound knowledge of the City of Toronto Hostel Standards and all other applicable legislation (CFSA, YCJA, Mental Health Act, etc.)
• Strong professional network and knowledge of relevant community resources
• Ability to exercise professionalism and sound judgment in conflictual and stressful situations
• Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to resolve issues with supervisors and co-workers in a manner that is respectful and cooperative in accordance with the agency culture and philosophy
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Strong administrative and organizational skills
• Completion of required suicide prevention and intervention training
• Flexible person, team player who has strong organizational skills, time management skills, the ability to multi-task, shift priorities, handle interruptions and meet deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate in both official languages and/or other languages is a definite asset
• Ability and discretion to deal tactfully with different clientele who can at times be difficult/ aggressive 
• Demonstrated proficiency in the range of Microsoft Office products (intermediate Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet mandatory.  Proficient and accurate keyboard skills.
• Ability and discretion to maintain sometimes delicate and confidential information.
• Attention to details and high level of accuracy

Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Must be able to obtain appropriate medical clearances including up to date vaccinations and tuberculosis testing.
• Ability to commit to a minimum of one shift per week.
• Proficiency in French is an asset.
• Ability to work in pet-friendly shelter.
• Valid First Aid / CPR certification mandatory
• Valid CPI/SMG certification mandatory

Compensation:

• $22 per hour

Work Location:

• YouthLink Youth Transitional Housing Shelter – 747 Warden Ave, Scarborough.
• YouthLink Residential Program – Guild wood Area

Reports to:

• Manager, Live-In Treatment Residence
• Senior Manager, Youth Transitional Housing Shelter Program

Join us.

YouthLink's core values define what we stand for and how we operate, helping us to work together in the most fulfilling ways.

We value leadership, acting in ways that exemplify what we expect of each other and our clients. We work together, bringing out the best in each other and creating strong working relationships. Our professional ethics are evident in all the work we do and the decisions we make.

We value humanity and show consideration for people, their abilities, skills, diversity and perspectives. We create an inclusive workplace that celebrates individual differences and, through our actions, demonstrates empathy, goodwill and honesty.

We value innovation, demonstrating flexibility and changeability in adapting to our work and community dynamics. We show courage in developing service initiatives that will improve the well-being of our clients and their families.

We value respect for people for who they are and for their knowledge, skills and experience as individuals and team members. We treat clients with respect and fairness and encourage the same in return.

We value excellence, demonstrating competence and accountability in delivering client services. We display clear judgment and exhibit clear thinking and reasoning in all situations. We continually strive to accomplish all tasks and provide an outstanding service for our clients.

Apply now.

We welcome applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve, particularly candidates from Black communities, Indigenous communities, racialized people, persons with disabilities, members of diverse gender identities and people with lived experiences. 

We are seeking candidates who demonstrably operate and practice from an equity and trauma-informed lens. We encourage applications from passionate professionals who will help us dismantle systemic barriers and embrace working outside of Euro-centric practices.  

If you meet 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and share 100% of our passion and commitment to supporting youth and their families, please submit your application. We can’t promise to hire you; we can promise to review your lived and learned experiences fully.

We are committed to providing equitable employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations at any stage of the interview process, please email us at [email protected].